The HBA Advocate Newsletter | June 4, 2024
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June 4, 2024 |
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In this edition:
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Xcel Energy Revises ENERGY STAR New Homes Program Significant changes are coming to Xcel Energy’s ENERGY STAR New Homes program in Colorado for all homes issued a building permit on or after July 1, 2024. The program is being renamed the Residential New Home Construction (RNHC) program, and to be eligible for RNHC rebates, homes issued permits on or after July 1, 2024 must be all-electric (i.e., home CANNOT have gas service) with Xcel providing the electric service to the home. We strongly recommend getting permits for any planned projects ASAP to avoid missing out on potential rebates because homes issued a permit (the permit must be issued, not just applied for) prior to July 1 are eligible for rebates under the current ESNH program rules (see attached information sheet). As a reminder, in addition to requiring that homes be all-electric, the new RNHC program also requires ENERGY STAR NextGen AND ZERH v2 for the first rebate tier. See table below for the list of rebates available and their requirements. Residential Science Resources (RSR) will be providing design assistance and verifying rebate requirements through energy modeling and field inspections. This does not replace the need for an energy rater if you currently use one for code compliance, ENERGY STAR, or ZERH certification (e.g., for the 45L builder tax credit) ? RSR, is only verifying the RNHC rebate requirements, NOT providing any code verification or above-code certifications. Please contact Erik Straite (erik.straite@residentialscience.com if you’re interested in pursuing these rebates or have any questions. RNHC Rebates: |
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2024 Colorado Legislative Session Comes to an End The Colorado General Assembly concluded the second session of the 73rd General Assembly on May 8. The 2024 legislative session had one of the highest total bill counts in recent years, with 472 House bills and 233 Senate bills - for a total of 705 bills. The bill count spiked due to several interim committees bringing forth bills, a larger than usual budget package, and several members being granted more than their five-bill limit. Upon adjournment, the Colorado Association of Home Builders (CAHB) published an in-depth legislative recap - available by clicking here. The publication includes a review of related legislation with a direct impact on the residential construction industry, including updates on several key bills that the GAC and CAHB lobby team worked on during the session. It also provides analysis on key legislative areas including the state budget, property taxes, education and other issues. |
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Larimer County Approves City of Thornton's 1041 Water Pipeline Permit Application On May 6, the Larimer Count Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the City of Thornton’s 1041 land-use permit, clearing the last legislative hurdle for the city’s long-sought water pipeline already under varying stages of construction in Adams and Weld Counties. On November 20, 2023, the City of Thornton formally submitted a new application asking Larimer County to approve a permit to build a buried water pipeline for transporting water to Thornton. The Thornton Water Project will deliver an average of 14,000 acre-feet of high-quality water that Thornton owns in the Water Supply and Storage Company System (WSSC) to its residents. This project is critical to ensure water-supply reliability and drought resiliency; provide drinking water that is protective of public health, safety and welfare; support the availability of housing; and meet municipal water demands in the city through 2065. The City of Thornton presented at numerous hearings over the past two months, including before the Larimer County Planning Commission on April 10, and before the Board of County Commissioners on April 22 and May 6. Last month’s hearing was primarily scheduled to provide an additional opportunity for public comment, which almost entirely focused on diverting the water through the Poudre River. While the pipeline itself is not expected to be completed until 2028, Larimer County’s approval will have an immediate impact on future residential development in Thornton now that the City has a greater degree of certainty over its water supply. Developers will no longer be required to sign “at-risk agreements” acknowledging the vulnerabilities associated with the City’s water supply, and future residential permits will no longer be restricted going forward. Completion of the pipeline will allow the City of Thornton to almost double in population in the coming decades, so the project is critical to ensuring our industry’s ability to meet the long-term housing needs of Colorado’s growing population. The HBA was proud to actively support the City throughout the hearing process. |
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HBA of Metro Denver Issue Tracker |
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HBA is looking for Members to Participate in Advocacy, Regulatory and Technical Committees in 2024 As a volunteer-driven organization, the HBA's Jobsite Safety Committee, Permitting Committee, Regulated Utilities Committee and Stormwater Management Committee help guide the HBA's events and activities throughout the year. Consider joining one, or more, if you want to build strong, long-lasting relationships and make a difference to your fellow HBA members, while sharpening your leadership skills. Please visit the HBA website for more information or reach out to Morgan Cullen if you are ready to participate. |
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Thank you to HBA's 2024 Organizational Partner: |
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Corporate Partners: |
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Contact Connie Dahl for more info on becoming an HBA Sponsor, or visit hbadenver.com/sponsorships for more information! |